Who shouldn't have the pneumo jab?

Occasionally, you or your child may need to delay having the vaccination or avoid it completely:

Vaccine allergy

Tell your GP if you or your child has had a bad reaction to any vaccination in the past. If there's been a confirmed severe allergic reaction, called an anaphylactic reaction, to the pneumococcal vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine, it's best to avoid having it. However, if it was only a mild reaction, such as a rash, it is generally safe to have the vaccine.

Unwell with a fever

If you or your child are mildly unwell at the time of the vaccination, it's safe to have the vaccine. However, if you or your child are more seriously ill – for example with a high temperature – it's best to delay the vaccination until after recovery.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It's thought to be safe to have the pneumococcal vaccine during pregnancy and while you're breastfeeding. But, as a precaution, if you are pregnant you may want to wait until you have had your baby (unless the benefits of having the vaccine outweigh the risks to your child).

Side effects of the pneumococcal vaccine

Like most vaccines, the childhood and adult versions of the pneumococcal vaccine can sometimes cause mild side effects, including:

a mild fever

redness at the site of the injection

hardness or swelling at the site of the injection

There are no serious side effects listed for either the childhood or adult versions of the vaccine apart from an extremely small risk of serious allergic reaction.

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Comments

The 4 comments about ‘Pneumococcal vaccine - Vaccinations - NHS Choices’ posted are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

Edale said on 07 December 2014

I was offered the vaccine at age 65 and decided to Google for some information. There were some distressing stories from people who had experienced debilitating reactions (particularly from the USA). As I'm quite healthy I decided not to take the risk.

The following summer my very healthy, sportsman son developed pneumonia for no discernable reason and that changed my mind. So last autumn I had the jab along with my flu vaccine. Apart from a sore arm that developed after around 12 hours and lasted a couple of days I was fine.

It was the best part of a year until my son was at his sporting best again, so I hate to think what pneumonia might do to me.

Hazeygee007 said on 20 October 2014

I went to GP for the flu jab that I have every year. This time he said I needed the pneumonia vaccine too as I had asthma. I let him do it and boy do I regret it. The top of my arm has swollen up to the size of a baseball it's very painful red and hard. I'm now on day three and there is just no let up it's still as bad. I now feel nauseous and have a terrible headache and painkillers just don't help. I'm laid in bed with an ice pack on it and feel utterly miserable.

Had I of known how bad this was I wouldn't of had it. I feel terrible so Sandra who left the comment above. I feel your pain x

Sandra Laine said on 18 October 2014

I am aged 70 and had an injection against pneumonia on 16 th October. That evening the area was very sore. Had difficulty sleeping due to pain on slight movement and very tender to touch. Also feel nauseous and unwell. I went to the local Pharmacist today, Saturday. It is swollen, red and extremely painful. He suggested returning to surgery if it has not settled by Monday. Have taken pain relief but no effect. I have never known such reaction to any of the mant injections I have had. Wish I had just stuck with flu jab and did not have pneumococcal jab. Sandra Laine